To the CPC Northwestern Shanxi District Committee and Others[1]

(December 23, 1939)

If the forces of the new faction in northwestern Shanxi are combined with our forces, it may be possible to create superiority. In the struggle against the capitulationist faction, if the orientation is not mistaken, there is assurance of victory. You must continue to boldly and resolutely consolidate the New Army and the progressive political power, and pay attention to dealing with Yan Xishan in a well-reasoned manner. Yan has already ordered Zhao Chengshou[2] to redeploy troops to attack the Fourth Column; armed conflict is unavoidable. You should immediately prepare for combat and continue to consolidate the New Army. Armed conflict should not be initiated by the New Army first; rather, when Zhao Chengshou attacks, the New Army should occupy favorable positions, adopt a defensive posture, and counterattack to annihilate them. The headquarters of the 120th Division should not yet move to northwestern Shanxi immediately, but it should immediately prepare to transfer when necessary.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram from Mao Zedong and Wang Jiaxiang concerning the Western Shanxi Incident, addressed to the CPC Northwestern Shanxi District Committee, the 120th Division, the Eighth Route Army Headquarters, Peng Shaohui, Luo Guibo, and others.

[2] Zhao Chengshou was then Commander-in-Chief of the 7th Group Army of the Nationalist Army’s Second War Zone.